[Na Young, I’m visiting Mrs. Hwang. Let me know if you need anything. It might be uncomfortable for you to visit her because of the hospital staff. Tae Hyuk is too busy with his work to take care of you.]

Director Cha Hyun was as thoughtful as ever.
His thoughtfulness always carried an underlying affection for Professor Choi Tae Hyuk.

That’s why Na Young never suspected any ulterior motive when Cha Hyun took the initiative to care.

“Mrs. Hwang gave me a lunchbox today.”

[Oh, typical of Mrs. Hwang.]

“And she lied to protect me.”

[What?]

Na Young felt guilty that Mrs. Hwang, who must have lived a life of honesty and kindness, had to lie because of her. She wanted to repay her kindness.

“I want to visit Mrs. Hwang myself.”

[That’s thoughtful. It will cheer her up.]

Cha Hyun was about to end the call when Na Young added a request.

[Don’t worry, I won’t call you first anymore.]

He misunderstood her, but Na Young just laughed.

“No, it’s about my friend.”

[Friend?]

Cha Hyun sounded confused.

“Do you remember my roommate?”

[Ah! The one who was eating snacks.]

Cha Hyun remembered Seung Hee casually.

“If my friend asks for your phone number, please don’t give it to her.”

Cha Hyun readily agreed without hesitation.

[Understood. I won’t.]

Na Young felt relieved, trusting Cha Hyun to keep their promise.

After Na Young’s incident, her mother regularly visited the temple to offer prayers for the family’s peace.

Na Young called to ask when her mother would be going to the temple next. Coincidentally, it was on the day Mrs. Hwang was having surgery.

“Please pray for Mrs. Hwang’s long and healthy life.”

[Is Mrs. Hwang your patient?]

“Not exactly, but she’s been kind to me. She’s undergoing cancer surgery.”

[Alright.]

As Na Young was about to hang up, her mother cautiously brought up something else.

[Your father asked about how you’re doing at the hospital.]

“Isn’t he just curious because I haven’t been home much?”

Na Young decided she must visit home on her next day off.

[Yeah, he seems worried about you living alone.]

She couldn’t return home now, having chosen independence.

[Your father wants to set you up with one of his employees.]

Na Young was shocked, feeling like a bomb had dropped.

“No, I can’t. I’m so busy as a first-year resident.”

The real reason was Professor Choi, but she couldn’t be honest about it.

[But you know your father. Once he thinks he’s right, he has to do it.]

Her father would immediately want to meet Professor Choi if he knew the truth.
Just then, Professor Choi Tae Hyuk appeared, walking towards her.

He strode confidently, carrying a delivery lunch box in his hand.

Na Young, unable to take her eyes off Professor Choi, spoke into the phone, “Mom, I have to hang up.”

[Alright, but don’t be too surprised if someone suddenly comes looking for you. If it’s someone your father has chosen, surely…]

Click.

Na Young cut off her mother’s words, hanging up the phone. As she put down her phone, Professor Choi approached and chided her.

“I called several times but you were busy.”

Na Young blinked rapidly, asking, “Why are you here? I thought you’d be with Mrs. Hwang in her room.”

Professor Choi took her hand and placed the string of the paper bag he was carrying into it.

“I will, of course, go to Mrs. Hwang. But I also need to take care of you. Haven’t you had dinner yet?”

Indeed, the only thing she had eaten that day was Mrs. Hwang’s lunchbox.

Despite feeling touched by his effort to look after her, Na Young couldn’t fully embrace the sentiment.

Lowering her head, she said, “I don’t want to be someone you have to take care of. I want to be someone who can help you.”

Dismissing her concern as trivial, Professor Choi reassured her, “You can help me right now.”

“How?” she asked, almost challenging him.

As she questioned him, his lips gently pressed upon hers. The soft touch left only warmth before it withdrew.

Then, wrapping his arms tightly around her, Professor Choi buried his face in her small shoulders and sighed, “Now I feel stronger.”